1. PDP Use in INFORMAL Accreditation Chris Lusk St. Andrews Director SSS

2. Supnet (Support Network) 30 – 40 Volunteers Recruited in 1 st year Stringent Selection Procedures Trained through 1 st and 2 nd year Work 3 rd and 4 th year

3. Supnet Activities One-to-one support Self Help Groups Awareness Raising First Aid Orientation leaders Information providers

4. Pre-1997 problems Why were they doing it? No perceived accreditation No conscious skills development Training voluntary = overall lack of commitment

5. 1997 Stricter regime Training compulsory Volunteers “counselled out” De-briefing sessions introduced Staff input acknowledged skills acquired PDP introduced

6. PDP – key skills recognised Presentation Skills Analytical Skills Creative Thinking Team Work Time Management

7. PDP – key skills (continued) Communication (written and verbal) Leadership Interpersonal Skills Practical Skills. Self Reflection

8. Benefits of PDP Assistance with preparation rewards with staff contact. Student feels work is “more valued” “Confidence Building” Provides FOCUS Trains in self assessment

9. Paper benefit to PDP No formal accreditation Provides evidence of activity for staff (Academic slack cut ?) Reference provision

10. Based upon copies of information held in the PDP Provides focussed evidence for students applying for employment elsewhere

11. Problems Student Commitment to PDP But require it as an option………..